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Commissioner Jacobs made reference to "Governance and Implementation" and suggested adding, "What relationship, if any, would this have to the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance?" He made reference to Public Information, Education, and Input, and "An investigation of both the truths and the fallacies of a possible merger." He said that people have raised concerns about the impact on property values. He asked if this would be under the truths and fallacies of school merger. He thinks this should be addressed. Also, under Educational and Student Impacts, another concern is the extent that extensive additional busing will be necessitated. He asked at what point we would be soliciting public participation in a decision making process or in shaping the discussions. John Link said that the staff's role is to provide information and bring it back in August. He thinks that the report should be made to the public at this time. Commissioner Jacobs read Task A and said that this reads that the County Commissioners would make a decision and them seek public comment. Jahn Link said that this is not the intent. Commissioner Carey said that this statement should be made clear and his vision is to get the public involved. Commissioner Gordon made reference to land use and said that it was ok with her to take out the part about the rural buffer, but she thinks that the Board should talk about the growth and development issues and this would include the rural buffer. Also, she thinks that we need to add a Task B, if the County Commissioners believe that merger should be pursued then they will hold a binding public referendum on the question of whether merger should occur. She personally believes in increased collaboration and equity of funding and facilities. She said that when she ran for County Commissioners, she said that she was opposed to merger. She feels like if we initiate this study, we should promise the public that there would be a referendum and give the public the chance to vote. Commissioner Halkiotis said that when Commissioner Carey proposed this he stated that we should be careful an how statements were worded. He said that adding a referendum would escalate the discussion even further and puts it into another area where irrational feelings and comments are going to get out of control. He remembers when the original 1986 merger study report was given. He will support this only to the point of a data gathering process without escalating it into public hearings or a referendum. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis and pointed out under Public Education, Information, and Public Input, number 5, "describe how a referendum an merger could be included in the decision making process." He thinks this is an adequate start. After the information is received, then the Board can decide on a process. The first decision is whether to proceed with the discussions. He thinks it is premature to jump into the discussions about a referendum. Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioners Jacobs and Halkiotis and said that he opposes Task B. He stated that one of the reasons that he proposed this goal in January is because we just came off of an election and na one was running for anything. This allows for more objectivity. Chair Brown made reference to item 4 and "Other Impacts and Implications" and asked about a "detailed description of the benefits and casts far children in the entire community associated with possible merger." She asked what this means, "the costs and benefits for children." Also, regarding land use, she thinks there should be a quick document on what the zoning is in the County because very few people understand it. Also, regarding Finance, number 4, she read, "the analysis of what changes might be needed and how much it would cast to equalize facilities for bath districts." She asked what this meant and if it meant haw we would equalize if there were not merger. Commissioner Gordon said that a lot of these things could be utilized whether or not there was merger. If there were merger, then the facilities in the two districts would have to be made similar. Commissioner Jacobs said that programs and facilities are to be included and not just facilities. Regarding Chair Brown's question about costs and benefits, he said that it was not clear to him either. Chair Brown made reference to Commissioner Jacobs' statement about truths and fallacies and said that there are myths about both school districts. She heard someone say yesterday that if you did not go to Chapel Hill East, then why live in the district, because Chapel Hill High School was not worth a #$°~*. She would like to understand some of the issues related to test scores and what they reflect. She said that this proposal to her is just for information. Commissioner Gordon asked Chair Brown if she decided to leave the wording alone under costs and benefits. Chair Brown said that number 4 could have an 'a' under it.